13. WHAT IS THE REAL MEANING OF SACRIFICE? P 1
1 Although in truth the term sacrifice is altogether meaningless, it does have meaning in the world. Like all things in the world, its meaning is temporary and will ultimately fade into the nothingness from which it came when there is no more use for it. Now its real meaning is a lesson. Like all lessons it is an illusion, for in reality there is nothing to learn. Yet this illusion must be replaced by a corrective device; another illusion that replaces the first, so both can finally disappear. The first illusion, which must be displaced before another thought system can take hold, is that it is a sacrifice to give up the things of this world. What could this be but an illusion, since this world itself is nothing more than that?
Journal
This is a very clear explanation of how we rid ourselves of the ego illusions. We let them be replaced with an illusion that is nearer to the truth, one that is opposite of the ego illusion, a happier illusion. The ego mind sees this as a sacrifice. In order to have the happier illusion, I will be asked to sacrifice my right to be miserable, but miserable on my own terms. I used to fall for that, but now I understand that I am not giving up anything. I am simply accepting the truth that I am not the ego and so I lose nothing.
Here is how I was thinking about this. When the immigration crisis occurred at the border, and all the children were taken from their parents, this felt awful to me. I could not believe that anyone could be that heartless and uncaring. I felt disgust for those that chose this course of action and I felt grief for the parents and children affected by such a cruel policy. I felt outraged that this could be happening in our country. This was the illusion I was asked to sacrifice.
Even though it was an awful illusion and very painful, I resisted letting it go. While I was thinking from my ego mind, it felt like I was right and they were wrong and there could be no other way to see it. I felt like they should be punished. I felt like the immigrants involved were greatly wronged and would suffer for it for the rest of their lives no matter how this turned out. And yet, I clung to this illusion making it more real with every thought and the waves of emotion I fed it.
But, I am not completely insane anymore. I have learned that there is always another way to see. It is still an illusion, but it is a better, happier and truer illusion. I couldn’t at that point imagine how I could make this shift. Luckily, my only part is to be willing to sacrifice my own illusion, that is, the illusion I made with the ego mind, and the Holy Spirit would give me a different illusion. It took me several days to make that decision. Once made, the Holy Spirit gave me a great deal of reinforcement through the words in the Course and the encouragement of others who had gone before me.
The actual shift itself was a miracle. It occurred instantly upon my acceptance and my new illusion was fully in my mind. I remembered that the only way to heal is through love. I was amazed at myself for forgetting that and for thinking that anger and fear was an appropriate response in any situation. It was as if I had left a nightmare and awakened to a joyful return to something much closer to reality.
I began to realize that I had a part to play in this new illusion. I began to see the people involved in the immigration policy as they truly are, perfect, whole, part of God and part of me because I, too, am part of God. That was what I focused on. I gave them my love and support. The harsher they appeared the more I loved them because that is the only solution and the only cure. I began to see them as dear brothers who were struggling and their actions and words as a call for help, and all I wanted to do was to help.
I saw the immigrants and their children differently as well. Instead of seeing them as victims and vulnerable, I remembered that they too are Children of God, part of God and safe in God. No illusion can change that. I saw them as strong with the strength of God given them in their creation. Stories of victimhood cannot alter creation. I sent them my faith, my support, and my love, just as I did the policymakers.
I willingly made the sacrifice of my ego illusion for the Holy Spirit’s illusion. In His illusion we are all given the opportunity to further awaken the sleeping Son, and also to be of actual help within the illusion. I continue to extend love every time I think of this situation and I extend it equally to both the president and his staff as well as to the immigrants. One is not greater or lesser than the other. They are all part of God’s Creation and deserve our love and support as they struggle to awaken, just as we are struggling. If my mind strays to dark thoughts, I immediately turn to the light, to the Holy Spirit in my mind and I am renewed.
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